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VIII. Gifts and Talents
“And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.”—Judgesiii. 10.
We now consider the Holy Spirit’s work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon
artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification
of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit.
The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, gold-
smiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will
furnish Moses with them? The Holy Spirit. For we read in Exod. xxxi. 2, 3: “I have called by
name Bezaleel, the son of Uri.... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom,
and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise
cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones, to set
them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.” Verse 6 shows that
this activity of the Holy Spirit included others: “In the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I
have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded them.” And to give clearest
light on this subject, Scripture says also: “Then hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work
all manner of work of the engraver and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer
in blue and in purple and in scarlet and in fine linen of the weaver, even of them that do
any work and of these that devise cunning work.” (Exod. xxxv. 35)
The Spirit’s working shows not only in ordinary skilled labor, but also in the higher
spheres of human knowledge and mental activity; for military genius, legal acumen, states-
manship, and power to inspire the masses with enthusiasm are equally ascribed to it. This
is generally expressed in the words, “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon” such a hero,
judge, statesman, or tribune of the people, especially in the days of the judges, when it is
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said of Joshua, Othniel, Barak, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, and others that the Spirit of the
Lord came upon them. Also of Zerubbabel rebuilding the temple, it is said: “Not by might
nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.” (Zech. iv. 6) Even of the heathen king,
Cyrus, we read that Jehovah had called him to His work and anointed him with the Spirit
of the Lord—Isa. xlv.
This last instance introduces another aspect of the case, viz., the operation of the Holy
Spirit in qualifying men for official functions. For altho this operation upon and through
the office receives its fullest significance only in the dispensation of grace, yet the case of
Cyrus shows that the Holy Spirit has originally a work to perform in this respect which is
not only a result of grace, but belongs essentially to the nature of the work, even tho it is
obvious only in the history of God’s special dealings with His own people.
It is especially noticeable in the struggle between Saul and David. There is no reason to
consider Saul one of God’s elect. After his anointing the Holy Spirit comes upon him, abides
VIII. Gifts and Talents
VIII. Gifts and Talents
